Urban Combat Reality Based Self Defense - Menlo Park, California

Samir D

I've been training here for 6 years and I still look forward to each class. Ive done martial arts my whole life (Karate, Boxing, BJJ) and none of them are like Urban Combat. This place is focused on real life and how those arts come together with actual common sense for dealing with potential situations. The classes include fun workouts, lessons in various martial arts / weapons, and film study on real situations. Brian is an amazing teacher - hes not lecturing from the sidelines, he is right there with you showing you how its done.

If you are interested in learning actual self defense strategies separate from traditional martial arts - this is your place. Its a bay area hidden gem!

Note - this place is in the Karate studio (parking in the back).

Michal Bialas

I’ve been training at Urban Combat for a while now, and it’s by far the most effective and realistic self-defense program I’ve encountered. They combine techniques from Boxing, Muay Thai, BJJ, Knife Fighting, and Combat Shooting, which makes each class well-rounded and intense. The use of real-world scenarios and footage keeps it practical, and the focus on combat psychology really sets it apart. Plus, the environment is fun and ego-free, and the program is accessible to all skill levels. I highly recommend it!

Rebekah Daniels

Our family moved away from Menlo Park this past month, and I knew I needed to update my review to reflect my experience here. For 8 months I've trained at Urban Combat, and not only can I say that the instruction is stellar, but the people have become like family to me. Due to the small class size and the built-in mentality of mentorship from more advanced students, I felt like I was part of a community who not only cares about self-defense, but cares about building up the people who train here. For example, when a student has a competition coming up, or when I had a certification I was hoping to test for, the class learns the material alongside their classmate to help them prepare.

As far as self-defense is concerned, the curriculum is thorough and engaging. Brian covers everything from home invasion, weapons defense, situational awareness, striking, multiple opponents, and everything in between. I loved that the class built in strength and conditioning as part of the program so that I was getting in a solid workout as well.

As our family relocates, I will be looking for a new place to train, but the bar is high after my experience at Urban Combat. If you're looking for solid self-defense training and a great time, look no further.

Jen Chon

Just had to show up on Mon/Wed evening and class is being held.

Tried one class, planning to return. Instructor Brian is teaching for the right reasons. The approach is practical application, not artsy fartsy, no fancy combos, no being required to call instructor some master guru sensei god etc. Just scenario-based training.

Jeremy P

I've been training in different styles for more than 30 years, and these guys at Urban Combat know their stuff. In addition to the super practical and quite simple techniques, these are a great bunch of guys and gals. Head instructor Brian Strathadee and the crew of high level students are extremely personable and welcoming. Highly recommend Urban Combat for anyone looking to learn practical self-defense, get a great work out, have fun, and meet some nice people.

Michael Shannahan

In a typical Urban Combat class, you will warm up for 30 minutes with a tabata or interval training, followed possibly by punching drills with thai pads and/or focus mitts with a partner. You'll then work on other drills such as take downs, ground grappling, grabs/holds with partners. In this respect, about half the class is similar to an MMA class. Where the style differs from boxing, wrestling, BJJ, MMA and other sports is that the techniques and training focus are on the study of real acts of violence- such as through review of security camera footage and law enforcement statistics- and application of practical defenses against those threats. This is why it's called Reality-Based Defense, they care about what really works vs. Hollywood or what traditional martial arts preach as dogma. An MMA gym teaches little about fighting off multiple attackers, knife fighting, gun fighting, club defense, use of pepper spray, fighting off car-jackers inside a vehicle, home invasion defense, combat psychology, legal aspects of use of force, trauma first aid, fighting in low light, and use of verbal commands to control violent accounters. Class size is reliably 7-15 students of varying skill levels, and is often more than 1/3 female. 2-hour women's defense seminars are held on or off-site, by appointment.

Laura Ellen

Seriously, ladies, take this class. Brian will teach you the basics that EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO KNOW. We should have learned this stuff when we were five years old, but it's never too late. I took a class with some girl friends today and it's some of the best $ I've ever spent. Just $45 for two hours. Dirt cheap for the skills you will learn in 2 hours, that could save your life.

Margo Feldman

These guys are amazing. They hosted a free 2hr women's self defense seminar at my local library and it was super helpful. No fluff, just the basic and intuitive things to keep in mind. I'm very thankful to them and highly recommend.